How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

Question

I have heard many women say their ribs concave in when they have explanted and they can feel their ribs bending inwards. To what extend does this occur? Would it restrict the lungs?

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  While others may disagree, I have certainly seen this.  I've seen women was longstanding implants have a  depression in the ribs of the chest wall.  It generally takes on the shape of the diameter of the implant and is a shallow concaved depression.  Remember, the body is a living tissue and responds  to stress.  That is why the breast tissue stretches of over time, but it's also why the chest wall may react as well.  I have never seen a patient complain of this, and frankly I've never seen a patient  even  aware of it, but I do think it is real.  Because it happens over such a long period of time it is likely inconsequential as well. I hope this helps to  Answer  your question.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience, most of the time when I am doing revision breast implants surgery, I do notice some concavity of the ribs as a result of the implants having been placed. Of course, if the size of the implants is very large, then the concavity is more noticeable. With small implants, the concavity is minimal. In general, this is of no real consequence to the patient.

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear G,   This is one of those 'fake news' reports. I have been in practice for over 29 years and performed breasts augmentation surgery on thousands of patients. I have never seen that problem, never heard a complaint about it  from my patients , or read about it in the literature .   As you know, millions of women had the procedure done . If, indeed, that would have occurred in a meaningful frequency, it would have been discussed in the media (remember the problem with silicone implants !) and it would have been , definitely presented in the plastic surgery society meeting. It did not happened for a reason, since it is not a real problem.   Breasts augmentation with implants is one of the best investment in yourself. It will increase your confidence, your self esteem , your sense of femininity and will make shopping fun...   You have to realize , though, that not all results are the same, because experience, skills and aesthetic eye are critical for good outcome. So, do your due diligence carefully and choose your surgeon wisely, to avoid bad result and need for corrective surgery.   Always, consult with experience board certified  plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery , to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with nice cleavage, perky, symmetrical  and natural looking.                             Best of luck,                                                     Dr Widder

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, in my own experience of having removed hundreds of implants, I have not found rib concavity very common.  I have observed it in a minority of patients, and they did not have any breathing problems.   It would be an important issue to discuss in person with a plastic surgeon before considering the operation, because your unique anatomy and the size of implants chosen might change this risk.

Robert Graper, MD · Answer

I have never seen it happen. I can conceive of it happening with very large implants that have been present for many years but it should not be a concern for standard augmentation. Good luck.

How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

Answers (6)

Answer: Concaved ribs

Answer: Concaved ribs

Answer: How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

Answer: How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

Answers (6)

Answer: Concaved ribs

Answer: Concaved ribs

Answer: How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

Answer: How many women end up with concaved ribs due to implants?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.